Introduction

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has filed unfair labor practice charges against General Motors (GM) and Stellantis to the National Labor Relations Board, according to UAW President Shawn Fain.

Failure to Bargain in Good Faith

The charges were filed because both GM and Stellantis failed to bargain with the union in good faith or in a timely manner, Fain stated. This comes after the companies did not respond to the union’s demands promptly.

Ford Motor, on the other hand, responded to the UAW’s demands with a counterproposal, and therefore, the union did not file a complaint against them.

Illegal Behavior

Fain condemned the willful refusal of GM and Stellantis to bargain in good faith, calling it insulting, counterproductive, and illegal. He announced that the UAW has filed unfair labor practice charges against both companies with the National Labor Relations Board.

Criticism of Ford’s Proposal

Fain heavily criticized Ford’s proposal, stating that it falls short of meeting the union’s needs. The proposal includes a 9% wage increase over four years, one-time lump-sum bonuses, and unlimited use of lower-paid temporary workers with reduced benefits. Ford also rejected all of the union’s job security and quality of life proposals, such as additional paid holidays and a shorter work week.

Ford’s Response

In response to the criticism, Ford CEO Jim Farley released a statement defending the company’s proposal. He highlighted the significant wage increases, lump sum payments, and the importance of the deal for workers and the company’s ability to compete and grow.

Details of Ford’s Proposal

Ford’s proposal includes a six-year grow-in period to top wages, $12,000 “cost-of-living” bonuses over the span of the deal, $5,500 ratification bonuses, a 25% increase in base wages for temporary workers, and other improvements compared to the previous contract. However, these terms do not align with the union’s previous demands.

No Immediate Responses

GM did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and neither did the union nor the NLRB regarding additional details of the filings.

Stellantis’ Defense

Stellantis stated that it has not received the NLRB complaint yet and expressed shock at Fain’s claims of not bargaining in good faith. The company denied the baseless allegations, emphasizing its commitment to bargaining in good faith to secure an agreement that benefits its employees.